Surprising marijuana moments in (mostly) American culture

May 30, 2013

Getty Images

16of32

Brief movie intermission (go ahead and grab some popcorn ...):
In ''American Beauty,'' Kevin Spacey's character is miserable and depressed and all closed up inside until he starts smoking marijuana and working out. He becomes happy and independent minded. He gets shot in the head in the end, but not because of the pot.
That seemed surprising. In a movie not specifically about stoners or pot-positive culture, the fairly positive message about marijuana was unique.

Getty Images

16of32

Brief movie intermission (go ahead and grab some popcorn ...):
In ''American Beauty,'' Kevin Spacey's character is miserable and depressed and all closed up inside until he starts smoking marijuana and working out. He becomes happy and independent minded. He gets shot in the head in the end, but not because of the pot.
That seemed surprising. In a movie not specifically about stoners or pot-positive culture, the fairly positive message about marijuana was unique.